Fluid flow control members for use with valves

Abstract

Fluid flow control members for use with valves are described. An example poppet apparatus for use with an internal valve includes first and second opposing seating surfaces to control fluid flow through the internal valve. Additionally, the example poppet apparatus includes an aperture to receive a stem of the internal valve. Further, the example poppet apparatus includes a flow diverter to divert fluid flow through the poppet apparatus to substantially prevent the fluid flow from compressing a spring to be at least partially positioned in the poppet apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A poppet apparatus for use with an internal valve, comprising:
 first and second opposing seating surfaces to control fluid flow through the internal valve; 
 an aperture to receive a stem of the internal valve, the aperture positioned between the first and second seating surfaces; and 
 a flow diverter at least partially defining a flow channel and the aperture, the flow diverter comprising a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, the third surface to be engaged by an end of a spring, the spring to be at least partially positioned in the poppet apparatus and to at least partially surround the flow diverter, the fourth surface to divert fluid flow through the flow channel and substantially around the end of the spring to substantially prevent the fluid flow from compressing the spring. 
 
     
     
       2. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter includes a shoulder proximate the flow channel, wherein the shoulder comprises the third and fourth surfaces. 
     
     
       3. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the flow channel is to fluidly couple a chamber of the internal valve to another chamber. 
     
     
       4. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the flow diverter is integrally coupled to the poppet apparatus. 
     
     
       5. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a plate coupled to the poppet apparatus, wherein the plate defines an opening sized to limit the fluid flow through the poppet apparatus when a spring seat coupled to the stem is proximate the opening. 
     
     
       6. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising a curved surface that surrounds the opening to align the spring seat relative to the opening. 
     
     
       7. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 6 , wherein the curved surface is symmetrical relative to a lateral axis of the plate to enable the plate to be coupled to the poppet apparatus via either a first side of the plate or a second side of the plate. 
     
     
       8. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the opening is sized to provide a distance of approximately 0.09 millimeters between a surface adjacent the opening and an exterior surface of the spring seat when the spring seat is positioned adjacent the opening. 
     
     
       9. A poppet apparatus for use with an internal valve, comprising:
 a first body having a first seating surface to sealingly engage a second body of the internal valve, wherein the first body defines:
 a second seating surface opposite the first seating surface to sealingly engage a plug of the internal valve; 
 an aperture to receive a stem of the internal valve, the aperture positioned between the first and second seating surfaces; 
 a bore at least partially concentric with the aperture; and 
 a fluid flow channel positioned between the aperture and the second seating surface, the fluid flow channel and the aperture being concentric along a length of the fluid flow channel, wherein the fluid flow channel is different than the aperture; and 
 
 a plate coupled to the poppet apparatus, wherein at least one of the plate or the bore define an opening sized to substantially limit fluid flow through the poppet apparatus when a spring seat coupled to the stem is positioned adjacent the opening. 
 
     
     
       10. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising a flow diverter at least partially defining the fluid flow channel, the flow diverter comprising a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, the third surface to be engaged by an end of a spring, the spring to be at least partially positioned within the bore and to at least partially surround the flow diverter, the fourth surface to divert the fluid flow through the fluid flow channel and substantially around the end of the spring to substantially prevent the fluid flow from compressing the spring. 
     
     
       11. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the flow diverter includes a shoulder proximate the fluid flow channel, wherein the shoulder comprises the third and fourth surfaces. 
     
     
       12. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , further comprising a curved surface that surrounds the opening to align the spring seat relative to the opening. 
     
     
       13. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the opening is sized to provide a distance of approximately 0.09 millimeters between a surface adjacent the opening and an exterior surface of the spring seat when the spring seat is positioned adjacent the opening. 
     
     
       14. An internal valve, comprising:
 a body that defines a chamber, wherein the body includes external threads to threadably engage another body; 
 a stem assembly having a biasing element, wherein the stem assembly is to exert a force on a poppet to urge the poppet toward the body to control fluid flow through the internal valve; wherein the poppet comprises:
 a first seating surface opposite a second seating surface; 
 an aperture to receive a stem of the internal valve, the aperture positioned between the first and second seating surfaces; 
 a bore at least partially concentric with the aperture; and 
 a fluid flow channel positioned between the aperture and the first seating surface of the poppet, the fluid flow channel and the aperture being concentric along a length of the fluid flow channel, wherein the fluid flow channel is different than the aperture; and 
 
 a plate coupled to the poppet, wherein at least one of the plate or the bore define an opening sized to substantially limit the fluid flow through the poppet when a spring seat coupled to the stem is positioned adjacent the opening. 
 
     
     
       15. The internal valve as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising a flow diverter at least partially defining the fluid flow channel, the flow diverter comprising a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, the third surface to be engaged by an end of a second biasing element, the second biasing element to be at least partially positioned within the bore and to at least partially surround the flow diverter, the fourth surface to divert fluid flow through the fluid flow channel and substantially around the end of the second biasing element to substantially prevent the fluid flow from compressing the second biasing element. 
     
     
       16. The internal valve as defined in  claim 14 , further comprising a curved surface that surrounds the opening to align the spring seat relative to the opening. 
     
     
       17. The internal valve as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the opening is sized to provide a distance of approximately 0.09 millimeters between a surface adjacent the opening and an exterior surface of the spring seat when the spring seat is positioned adjacent the opening. 
     
     
       18. The poppet apparatus as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the flow diverter is to at least partially define the aperture.